Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, has expressed concerns about the growing debt within the ministry.
During his appearance before the Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, 2025, Agbodza revealed that the outgoing NPP administration left a minimum of GHC100 billion in outstanding commitments.
He added that unpaid certificates from the Government of Ghana currently total GHC20 billion, with an additional GHC15 billion in unpaid road funds.
“In 2017, our respected colleague who is no longer a member of Parliament, [Amoako Atta], expressed alarm over the NDC government leaving a commitment debt of GHC17 billion and GHC1.5 billion in unpaid certificates.
“At the transition, the NPP is leaving GHC100 billion in commitments. Unpaid GoG certificates now amount to GHC20 billion, and road funds are GHC15 billion,” he said.
Kwame Agbodza revealed that a GHC113 million debt in 2018 has ballooned to GHC665 million due to accumulated interest. By 2020, a debt of GHC424 million had grown to GHC1.5 billion, and by 2021, a debt of GHC616 million had accrued interest of GHC1.69 billion.
The nominee described the financial situation as dire, stating, “Out of the GHC15 billion, in 2018, we owed GHC113 million, with interest now GHC665 million. For 2019, the debt was GHC210 million, and the interest is GHC960 million. By 2020, the debt stood at GHC424 million, and the interest has risen to GHC1.5 billion.”
Kwame Agbodza questioned, “How do I explain this to the taxpayers in Adaklu?” He proposed implementing better contract management in the road sector, noting, “This cannot continue.”
